Discover European Culture
Before you plan to dive into the vacation of your dreams, why not prepare yourself for the many different European cultures you will encounter. We’ve made this easy by summing up some historical facts and travel information about a few major travel hot spots. Learning about these magnificent cultures will allow you to appreciate your travel experience that much more!
Eastern Mediterranean: Greece & Greek Islands
Home of the Ottoman Empire and countless mythological figures, Greece is a place full of breathtaking beauty. Here we discover local Greek life, its traditions and their islands.
Currency
The Euro
Tradition & Culture
Greece has a strong sense of religious character, where the majority of the population is Orthodox Christian. It is through this religion that most of Greece’s customs and traditions originate including Baptism, Carnival and Clean Monday.
In Greece you will find that the landscape is very mountainous and often covered with traditional Greek houses that are all individually owner built to demonstrate ownership. The architecture of the houses is consistent with the region’s designs – pitched roofs of the Arcadian mountains and the flat ones of the Cyclades.
Santorini
Part of the Cyclades islands, in the middle of the Greek Isles, lies Santorini. Villages covered in the white typical Cycladic houses with blue painted windows facing the ocean, simply inspires the love for traveling and discovery. Many come to this beautiful island admiring the phenomenal sunsets and Caldera, the famous submerged volcano crater in a basin of water. Santorini is the most visited island of the Greek Islands, where couples come to get married or spend their honeymoon and cruisers come to soak in the Mediterranean sun.
Mykonos
One of the 200 plus inhabited Greek Islands, Mykonos is the smallest of the Cyclades complex. Famed for its natural beauty, this island lies in the middle of the Aegean near the Piraeus port. With similar architecture of other Cyclades Islands, like Santorini, Mykonos is lined with bright white and flat architecture. According to mythology, Mykonos was named by the son of the King of Delos and was formed from one of Hercules 12 tasks, petrifying giants by throwing them in the sea where they turn into enormous rocks, or Mykonos as we know it today.
Local Goods
Greece is filled with plenty of fresh leafy greens, fruits, meats and seafood. Make sure to indulge in regional delicacies as well as traditional Greek plates.
Food
- Moussaka: layers of meat in between layers of eggplant
- Baklava: phyllo pastry filled with honey walnuts, almonds or pistachios
- Retsina: white resinated wine
Turkey
One of the best places to travel to for history buffs and cultural aficionados. Filled with landscapes dotted with battlegrounds, ruined castles and ancient palaces of great empires, Turkey has been through it all!
Currency
Turkish Lira
Tradition & Culture
National pride identifies the culture of Turks. They are proud of their deep historic legacy and are passionate about their family, food, landmarks, and simple pleasures. Filled with markets and bars with stylish atmospheres, Turkey offers a discovery for all.
A diverse culture, derived from the Ottoman Empire, Middle Eastern influence and Central Asian traditions describes this beautiful country. Because of the fusion of east and west, past and present, Turkey is truly unique. A favorite destination among tourists is Istanbul, where one can find the famous Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, the historical museum which also served as a church until the Ottoman conquered Istanbul in 1453. Rich in history with no lack of museums, towers, palaces, it is no surprise that Turkey boasts an abundance of art and decor. Beautifully designed Turkish rugs and meticulously detailed ceramic art is abundant and a treasure for tourists.
Sport
Among all sports in turkey, the most popular one is soccer, or as they call it, football. In 2002 Turkey’s national team finished third in the World Cup Finals and the team boasted a large following throughout the year. More uniquely, in some areas throughout Turkey you will find camel wrestling. In the winter you will see elaborately saddled camels being paraded through the villages with the owner extolling just how his camel is going to make mince-meat of anyone rash enough to challenge his beast. The camels are all fully grown bulls, specially fed to increase their bulk further. The sight of them wrestling one another would seem to promise some spectacular action.
Local Goods
Avenues of bazaars, street markets and promenades of vendors describes the local shopping in Turkey. Here you will find the busiest and largest variety of goods from spices, handmade local clothing, jewelry, to rugs. A definite overwhelming, yet fulfilling, experience even for the most experienced shoppers.
Food
- Turkish Kebap: mutton shanks with plenty of vegetables
- Turkish Tea: black tea and Turkish spices
- Hanim Göbegi: sweet cake made with yogurt or almonds
- Cacik: cucumber yogurt salad
The Baltics & Scandinavia: Norway
Norway is known to have the most beautiful fjords in the world. You will discover everything from endless sunshine to the beautiful Northern Lights in this extraordinary country. With so many discoveries to be made in Norway, you’ll enjoy every minute you’re there!
Currency
Kroner (NOK) and Øre
100 Øre = 1 Krone (pronounced: crown)
Tradition & Culture
The largest indigenous group of people in Norway is the Sami, sometimes referred to as Lapps. They are a colourful culture that is ranked as the strongest of any aboriginal people in the world. Furthermore, Norway has a history of Viking habitation. Known for their trade, exploration and settlement, Vikings were a facet in establishing the economically successful country of Norway that we know today.
Norway has developed a strong sense of loyalty when it comes to national costumes. The designs are taken originally from their regional folk costume patterns which were on the verge of disappearance. Many of the patterns are inspirations from the regional paintings, wood carvings or embroidery. The costumes are meant to symbolize their individuality per region. Full of folklore history, the Norwegians are also quite taken with stories and legends of trolls, enough that parts of the country are named after famous trolls: Trollheimen, Trollstigen, Trollhatten and Trollveggen. Despite their messy and mischievous ways, trolls are completely opposite from the beautiful landscape and the generous people of Norway.
Sport
Norway’s abundance of snow during the winter months encourages many winter sports. One sport in particular has been around for 4000 years: skiing. Skiing was initially a means for people to travel efficiently on the snow-covered grounds to transfer their goods for trade. Derived from necessity, this mode of transportation soon became a leisure activity and the sport of skiing was born.
Local Goods
Knitted sweaters, watches and jewelry are amongst the popular goods in Norway. Originated from a long history of Vikings and the Sami, Norway boasts many traditional jewelry designs, wooden paint carvings and reindeer skins.
Food
Situated under prolonged cold weather conditions, the diet in Norway is naturally hearty along with a variety of traditional smoked meats.
- Smalahove: salted or smoked lamb’s head, a traditional dish served during Fall and Christmas
- Tørrfisk (stockfish): unsalted dried fish, usually Cod
- Pølse i lompe: hot dog in a thin flour and potato tortilla
- Kjøttkaker: deep fried minced beef balls, a typical dinner item eaten with boiled potatoes
- Laks og eggerøre: smoked salmon with scramble eggs, a traditional breakfast meal
Russia
Russia is not only the biggest country in Eastern Europe, but ranked the largest in terms of area in the world. Unlike any other country in the world, Russia is on two continents, both Europe and Asia. Filled with amazing political history and plenty of culture, Russia boasts everything a traveler could want.
Currency
Rubles and Kopek
100 Kopeks = 1 Ruble
Tradition & Culture
Popular for stories of Crusades, the Battle of the Ice in 1242, famous for their abundance of history, Russia is filled with centuries of stories to be told. Time is shown through its architecture, art and many traditional aspects of Russian life. A culture that is dated as far back as the old Julian calendar, the Russian Christmas is 13 days after the Western Christmas.
During the month of June to early July, St. Petersburg’s ever famous “White Nights” is where you will find romance under the constant summer sun, where even the night shines. The Maslyanitsa Festival celebrates the ending of winter to welcome the spring. During this festival the streets are filled with people, parades and food.
A quirky Russian tradition is mushroom picking. It is said that hunting for mushrooms, takes away from the everyday stress. An old saying “the mushroom finds its owner” is passed on from grandfathers to grandchildren. Full of lively culture and celebrations, Russia embodies a country packed with history and tradition; definitely a country to explore.
Local Goods
In modern Russian markets today, you will be able to bargain and shop for antiques and old world goods. Vintage posters, armoury, and artifacts from the past are well maintained and are often passed down through generations. Along with interesting artifacts, you will find luxury goods everywhere. Russia welcomes international fashion trends and fusion restaurants, and has one of the highest living standards in Europe.
Nesting dolls are a must from Russia, especially the famous Russian girl that multiplies with each open. Find yourself a nice fur or faux fur hat to protect you from the snowy cold. Or hunt down a valuable antique in the daily market by the Red Square in Moscow. From the most fashion forward to the antique seeker, Russian markets offer something for everyone.
Food
In Russia, besides the trendy restaurants in the major cities where fusion-style cuisine rules the industry, the average Russian diet is comprised of many hearty dishes to get through the cold weather.
- Russian Kebab: pork, lamb, beef or fish, on spokes, grilled with vegetables in between
- Pelmeny: small balls of minced meat covered with pastry, often served for dinner
- Kiev style chicken: special type of chicken chop with butter inside, traditional dinner dish
- Beef Stroganov: pieces of beef prepared with cream sauce, traditional dinner dish
and of course… Russian vodka is a must!